Although the number of blood donors has increased in recent years, it is still far from the global goal: that all people donate repeatedly.
This is revealed by a recent report of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), launched as part of the World Blood Donor Day, held every June 14th.
According to the study, the number of blood volunteers grew between 2013 and 2015 from 38.53% to 44.17%.
Everyone has the right to expect the blood they need to be available when needed. Unfortunately, many still suffer unnecessarily or even die because they do not have access to a safe and timely blood transfusion,”
said Carissa F. Ettiene, PAHO Director.
However, in Latin America and the Caribbean less than half of the total number of blood donors are volunteers.
We need to change the culture of a unique donation motivated by an emergency, to a culture based on the repeated and altruistic donation… It’s the only way blood banks of the region can reach self-sufficiency and guarantee universal access to blood transfusions,”
said María Dolores Pérez, PAHO’s Blood and Transplant Services Advisor.
The same study points to some characteristics of donors in Latin America and the Caribbean. For example, 62% are men and 38% are women. In addition, most donors are between 16 and 24 years old.